Truck Traffic Congestion Measured

The Federal Highway Administration is turning to a high tech, web-based tool to pinpoint the spots where trucks get bottlenecked in traffic. According to a DOT press release, “The tool, FPMWeb, measures operating speeds for trucks at any given place and point in time along 25 Interstate highways that are considered significant freight routes.” It uses satellite technology and onboard GPS to get the information.

The hope is that state and local transportation agencies will look at the data and target major congestion areas when they are deciding on highway investment priorities. Meanwhile, freight companies can use the information to determine routes and travel time that will lessen the risk for trucks to be caught in traffic congestion.